I've spent the last few days packing and traveling so I haven't had much time online. I was however able to write this blog while on the plane, so here it is.
So, the flight back to Hawaii was full of ups and downs. The beginning half was perfect, or at least as close to it as you can come while traveling alone with a 5 month old. I breezed through security in the airport because the line was almost nonexistent, and was greeted by the friendliest security guard I've ever met. He smiled at me and had a nice conversation while I loaded my things onto the belt, offering to help me in any way he could (without leaving his station) and then complimented me on how organized I was. I got through the metal detector and someone had already set up my stroller frame for me, and as I walked over someone offered to help put the carseat in. I politely declined and made my way to the gate of departure - 90 minutes early. I had made it through so fast I had some serious time to kill. So, I grabbed a coffee and an odwalla from one of the cafes. Military? Why, yes I am. Ok, that will be 20% off. Such a small gesture, but it made my morning.
As I waited to board the plane an older woman smiled and asked me how old my son was. She had a new grandson who just turned 4 months. We kept it to friendly chit chat, and as they started boarding other passengers practically pushed me to the front of the line so I could board early. After I finally got situated the lady I had been talking to sat down beside me. Conveniently we were in the same row. Again, a little thing, but sitting next to someone even slightly familiar for the whole wopping hour flight was somewhat comforting.
I knew I only had about 20 minutes once I got off the plane before they would start boarding my connecting flight so I practically ran out of the gate to find the flight monitors. I apparently missed the first one, and walked briskly with a backpack full of books, a diaper bag around my shoulder, a carseat in one hand, and a baby strapped to my chest. I found the next monitor and realized my gate was in the opposite direction. About face. Walk briskly in the other direction. Find my gate. See people from my first plane exiting the gate. Yes, I was departing from the same gate I just came out of. Furthermore, I was on the same plane.
At least I got my cardio for the day.
Next flight.The moment I get on the plane the flight attendant offers to help carry my carseat back, Awesome. To make things even better I sat next to the most helpful man I've ever encountered on a plane. He offered to hold my son while I got situated and started playing with him. Liam of course gave him huge smiles. He commented on how good my baby was, and I replied with "Well, 99% of the time at least." He then said, "Well, let me know if I can help you out with the other 1%"
And might I add that Liam was good, 99% of the entire flight. He fussed only when he was hungry, and right before his nap. The rest of the time he was all giggles. I couldn't have asked for a better baby or a more helpful crew.
That all abruptly ended once I got on my final connection however.
First of all, I only had a 35 minute layover to begin with. Once I got off the plane I had a whole 7 minutes before the plane was set to depart. Luckily about 40 other people had the same problem so they held the plane an extra 10 minutes, but that didn't stop the racing through the airport while loaded with extremely too many accutraments.
I thought I would have the 3 seats to myself since the last I had checked no one was sitting in the middle seat. No such luck, but ultimately not a huge deal. Just one more thing to deal with after exhausting myself moments earlier. Then, the girl sitting in front of Liam keeps slamming her seat back, trying to recline it. The guy sitting next to her looks back, sees the carseat, and explains to her that's why she can't recline her seat back. I feel bad, but really, what can I do?
Apparently something.
As the flight attendant comes by, she complains that she thinks her seat is jammed. (which at this point she knows is not the case) When the flight attendant explains that it's because of the carseat, she asks if they can move. On a packed plane. The flight attendant then turns to me and asks me to turn my carseat around WHILE I WAS NURSING, so that she could recline her seat, explaining that having a rear facing carseat is only important during take-off and landing. Seriously?! So, while nursing my son in one arm, I use the other to unbuckle the seat belt, turn the carseat around, and resituate everything. Now my son is facing her seat, and kicking at his toy wildly. I hope that extra 2 inches was worth it.
At this point I'm still on the plane, with a good 4 hours or more left, and I'm still partly fuming, part ready to burst into tears. It didn't help that Liam is at that stage where he is starting to babble, and the easiest sound for a baby to pronounce? "Da" So here is my son, cuddling the daddy doll, saying "Dada Dada Dada." I almost lost it.
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